The Forever Potion

Fear

     It had been exactly three weeks since I had taken the love potion that changed my life. I was now failing potions class because well... I hadn't shown up in three weeks. I was too mortified to face Professor Snape after everything that happened. I knew that he disdained me now. On top of it all, I had to avoid his piercing gaze every night at dinner. He definitely wanted to grab my attention regarding my grade. 

     " (Y/n), you have to start going to class. You're already in a fifth-year potions class! Don't want to be there again next year." My best friend, Jane Polk, said as I looked down at my dinner. A thousand thoughts racing in my head. 

     " Could you not say that like I'm stupid, I just didn't take potions my first year!" I sighed at her remark. She shook her head at me and began to retort.

     " Yes, well I don't think a smart person would willingly flunk a class because of their pride. You sound like a Gryffindor." Her face twisted as the words left her mouth. All I could do was roll my eyes at her, she was right. Yet, I was still much too embarrassed to show my face in his class ever again. Going back to picking at my plate, the owls had arrived to deliver the mail. I wasn't expecting a letter, so much to my shock when a black letter fell in front of me. Dread instantly filled my stomach. I carefully opened the ominous paper.

          Ms. (Y/ln),

     Come to my study tonight after dinner. Don't make me wait.

                                                                                               Severus Snape

     I snuck a glance at the potion's master, only to find him looking at me. A serious expression on his face. I guess it was about time to talk to him. 

      After dinner, as the students shuffled their way out of the great hall, I made my way to the office of the man I was avoiding with all my soul. I walked down the dark, damp hallways of the dungeon. Anxiety filled every last meter of my body, I was certain I was going to faint before I could even rap my knuckles on his office door. But, alas, the sound of my hand hitting the wood vibrated out an eerie echo. The door opened rather harshly, and there stood the man everyone who attended Hogwarts loathed. He was demining, strict, handsome, and cold. A towering man with a distant demeanor, it was enough on its own to make your hairs stand on end. 

     " Come in." He said very deliberately. I hurriedly walked through the door and stood in front of his desk. As he walked to the other side and sat in his seat, he motioned for me to do the same. " I'm sure you know exactly why I asked you to be here." He said as I sat down across from him. 

     " I wouldn't say that was asking..." I said in a hushed voice. 

     " Don't. Talkback to me (Y/ln)." His eyes were narrowed, a very serious and almost threatening tone lingered in them. 

     "I'm sorry, sir." Lowering my head in embarrassment. I was already on thin ice with him. " I know I'm failing your class." 

     " Yes, you are. You went from being my top student in that class to my worst. Care to tell me why?" His fingers tapped on his desk, this question took me back. I thought surely he would understand my embarrassment, for Godric's sake, I'm in love with him for no reason! 

     " Do you want me to be honest with you?" I asked sincerely.

     " No, I want you to lie to me." He sneered at me, obviously being sarcastic. I sighed at his childish antics. 

     " Professor, I'm still not feeling like myself," I answered very vaguely, hoping he would catch on to my meaning. The only response he gave me was scrunched eyebrows, a look of confusion. I decided it would be best to explain a little more, " The potion, sir." It took him a moment to comprehend what potion I was talking about, but when he did his eyes widened. 

     " That's impossible, Ms. (Y/ln). That measly love potion should have stopped its effects weeks ago! Madam Pomfrey told me herself that you were feeling better." He stood up and place his hands on his desk, leaning over it. " Unless you lied to her." His eyes met mine. 

     " I didn't lie, but..." I paused for a moment. " I had been avoiding you, so it wasn't affecting me as much." 

     " I see." His face was almost expressionless, but I could tell he was troubled by this news. 

     " That's why I haven't been showing up to class. I'm too embarrassed to show my face. It's painful to see someone you love knowing that they don't feel the same." I sighed once again. "But, maybe you don't know the feeling." 

     " I can comprehend how that would feel," He seemed to ponder a memory, " but it doesn't mean you can fail my class." His tone of voice was softer now. Maybe he did understand how I felt. " I have a suggestion on how we can work this out." 

     " What is it?" I piped up curiously at his sudden proclamation. 

     " I'll make your grade passing, but you have to show up again. If I don't see your face tomorrow, I'll drop you from my class completely." His deal sounded good enough for me. Almost too good, the more I thought about it. 

     " That's very nice of you Professor." I looked at him quizzically. " So, what's the catch?" Thinking that there must be more he's not mentioning to me. 

     " There is no catch, (Y/ln)." He paused for a moment. " I just pity you." With his harsh words, I looked away from him. I should've known this wasn't a hopeful sort of moment. 

     " Well, thank you, even if it is out of pity." I stood from my seat and made my way to the door. 

     " Have I dismissed you yet?" His eyebrows furrowed at my actions. 

     " Is there more you'd like to discuss?" I questioned, my back towards him. 

     " Yes, cut out this nonsense of being 'in-love' with me. I don't know what game you're playing, but I've given you all the sympathy I can muster. No more of it. And, the only reason I've given it to you is that you're one of my more tolerable students. I'd hate to see your talents be wasted." His words were harsh in tone, at the first appearance, but there was a hidden message behind them. He favored me. I never knew Snape could even have a favorite student. It was a magical thing. I gave him a curt nod and saw his hand wave me away in the corner of my eye. I was gone faster than you could say 'Lumos'. I knew I was just going to have to suck up my fears of seeing his face every day. Just had to get through the rest of the year and then one more. I could manage that.